Jefferson Twp. barn, animals lost in blaze

A barn and its contents -- including as many as 40 animals -- were a total loss in a Saturday night fire in Jefferson Township.

Ten area fire departments and several other emergency agencies responded to the two-alarm fire at 6109 S. CR 550 East.

The Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched at 10:58 p.m. following a 911 call of a barn fire.

Chief Rick Cooper arrived at 11:04 p.m. to find the 80-feet by 60-feet barn fully involved and immediately called for a second alarm for assistance.

Approximately 4,000 small square bales of hay were stored in the northeast corner of the barn's loft, accelerating the spread of the fire throughout the building.

At 11:20 p.m., the entire structure collapsed.

Goode Excavating responded to the scene with an excavator to remove the hay and debris to allow firefighters to get to the remaining fire.

Cooper praised operator Joe Goode for the "awesome job" he did in making it even possible for responders to fight the fire.

"There was a lot of overhaul done to be able to get to the actual fire under the hay and debris," the chief said.

Besides contributing additional manpower and trucks, other departments assisted in the task of shuttling much of the approximately 45,000 gallons of water to the scene.

Tankers hauled the water to the scene from a dry hydrant and a hydrant near Chicago's Pizza in Cloverdale.

"Operations went as well as they could with the cold weather. All departments were awesome and worked their tails off," Cooper said.

A total of 37 firefighters responded, including personnel from the Jefferson Township, Cloverdale Township, Fillmore, Greencastle, Floyd Township, Reelsville, Stilesville, Coatesville, Clayton and Banbridge fire departments.

Putnam County Operation Life was on the scene, as well as two Putnam County sheriff's deputies and one Indiana State Excise officer, all three of whom assisted with traffic.

The fire was 90 percent out at 2:37 a.m. Sunday, and completely extinguishd by 4:37 a.m.

The total loss on the barn, owned by Bill Judy, is estimated at $75,000.

Among the losses were 35 to 40 animals, including goats, sheep with lambs and cattle, number tools and small equipment, two milking machines and a Chevrolet pickup. An Oliver tractor also sustained minor damage.

The cause of the fire is believed to be the electrical supply to some heat lamps, although the lamps were off at the time of the fire.